FIFA World Cup : Poland vs Saudi Arabia

Buoyed by their upset win against Argentina, Saudi Arabia came into this game in supreme confidence, while Poland needed a win to stay in contention. 

In a slugfest game that was tactically not great to watch, Poland & Saudi Arabia pushed to the hilt for a decisive win, & the crowd was obviously behind the men in green from their continent. Poland broke the deadlock around the 40th minute, when the prowling Lewandowski managed to keep the ball in from rolling out of the back line & his clever tap into the box was blasted into the top end of the net by Zielinski, as the Arabian defenders looked in dismay. It was against the run of play & Poland were celebrating. Minutes later, though, persisting in attack, Saudi Arabia claimed a penalty, as Beilik fouled Saleh Alshehri inside the box - a rather harsh decision on the Polish midfielder, but the crowd were already dancing in anticipation. Al Dawsari stepped up to take the shot, but his low placement was fisted back by Szczesny, & then palmed out the rebound from Al-Breik as well - a brilliant save to thwart the Arabians & keep Poland ahead, as the referee blew the half time whistle. 

2nd half saw the Arabs come back with renewed vigor & intent & the Polish keeper, Szczesny was again forced into action, denying Aldawsari & Feras. Plnad too upped the ante & Milik's shot rattled the crossbar, & the Lewandowski too hit the bar. Persistence paid the Polish star finally & in the 82nd minute, poaching around the Arabian box, he robbed the ball from a tired Almalki & cooly slot the ball past the keeper to make the score 2-0 for Poland. This was his 77th goal for Poland, but first in a World Cup. 

A well contested match ended with Poland now needing only one more point to qualify for the knockouts, while Saudi Arabia will have to play against Mexico, & a lot will depend on the game between Argentina & Mexico. - This Group has thrown surprises for sure, & could well define the status of knockout stages.